If anyone has a digital copy of the BlackCat directions, let me know and I'll see that they are hosted so they are available in the future.
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If anyone has a digital copy of the BlackCat directions, let me know and I'll see that they are hosted so they are available in the future.
I'm with HE. I like rectangle tarps for more protection, and more versstility when it comes to pitching on the ground. That's not to say you can pitch a MacCat style tarp on the ground, there are ways and pitches to do so, just a few of my favorities with a more traditional falt reftangle tarp. I think my next tarp will be similar to the Speer 8x10 cat cut and the Speer Winter Tarp. I think Ill make it out of Spinntex 9.7 (ounce wienee) and about 8x10 in demisions. Thats just .2.
Thats good to know because I was really wanting to make a rectangle tarp, but it seemed like one of those too good to be true things. A few hems, one seam, and some tie out points and I have a tarp?...Just seems too good to be true.
I am waiting to way over simplify everything. Less to go wrong, easy to make.
Another vote for a simple rectangle. I like the extra coverage you get from a rectangle. Very simple to make and great for a first tarp project. I used these Henry Shires directions (thanks Henry!!) for my first one, minus the netting and beak. They will give you an idea of what needs to be done. If I could only have one size, it would be an 8 x 10. I currently have a 5 x 9 and a 10 x 10. I think the 8 x 10 is a good all around size.
I started out my long hike with a MacCat Deluxe. Fortunately I tried it out in several storms before I left. I could not stay dry with the changing wind during strong thunderstorms. By adding door flaps to the ends, and finding a bombproof way to keep water from running down my straps to the hammock body, I weathered two tropical storms and many severe stoms and have stayed absolutely dry. A rectangular tarp can be modified the same way or if extra tie points are sewn to the edges, the ends can be semi-closed with just a couple of extra stakes.